Medication dispensing cart

ABSTRACT

A medication dispensing cart having a computer and monitor, a work surface with pull out keyboard, and plural drawers arranged as a vertical series of cassettes that can be added as needed. The battery powered device uses software and pass codes for controlling access to each drawer, and requires a second pass code for any drawer designated to contain narcotics. Records can be kept of who dispenses what medication and when for each cart in a system of carts. The cart in the system is in wireless communication with a system administrator. Emails alerting the system administrator of low battery power, of a cart switching to off, of an attempted break-in, and of inventory and usage data are sent automatically by email.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/461,615, filed May 1, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/278,263, filed Mar. 11, 2009, which is a 371 ofPCT/US2007/03765, filed Feb. 12, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/772,416, filed Feb. 11, 2006. Each of theforegoing applications is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensing medication to patients inhospitals and nursing homes.

In the health care industry, an important component of patient care ismedication. Medications, in the form of pills, capsules and liquids, aregiven to patients to relieve pain, to prevent or eliminate infections,and to treat illnesses and disease. Oftentimes the medications are givenin doses that ate repeated at intervals during the day and may be partof a regimen that takes place over several days or even an extendedperiod of time for chronic illness. Medications may have a powerfuleffect on the body. Some medications should not be taken with othermedications or are carefully controlled because of their impact on thepatient if too much is administered or because they are subject to abuseby others.

In addition, if the wrong medication is given to a patient, or if thecorrect medication is given but in too large a dose or too frequently,harm may result. Accordingly, it is important to doctors, nurses and thestaff and management of hospitals and nursing homes to make sure theirpatients take all prescribed medications and only the prescribedmedication and to take them in accordance with their prescriptions.Usually, administrative controls and paper records, sometimes augmentedby security measures, are used to achieve these objectives.

However, there remains a need for better ways to dispense medications ina controlled manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to themore detailed description that is presented later.

According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the presentinvention is a cart designed for dispensing medication. The cart carriesa computer for keeping track of who dispenses what type of medication,when it is dispensed, and that corroborates dispensing informationautomatically.

The present cart includes a computer with wireless network access and amonitor, a power system having a battery pack to provide power to thecomputer and monitor, a cassette drawer system having one or morecassette drawers for holding medications, and a security system.Generally, the cassette drawer system, the power system and the securitysystem are software controlled. Access to the cassette drawers is bypass code entry via the computer keyboard or a key override. Each cartuser has a different code and only those having valid pass codes or keyscan access the drawers. Particular medications, such as narcotics,require a second pass code or second key.

The installation and use of the drawers is sensed by the computer sothat it can record who accessed which cassette drawer and when. The useof the computer to track the dispensing of medications enables the cartadministrator to compile this information and thereby confirm themedications were given by the cart users as prescribed.

An important feature of the present invention is the use of email fromthe computer over a wireless network linking all other carts on asystem. This feature allows the computer on each cart to keep anadministrator informed of the status of each cart, such as the conditionof the battery and the use of the cart. It also informs theadministrator if there has been an attempt to open a drawer by force.

Another important feature is the cassette drawer system. The drawersystem allows additional drawers to be added or drawers to be removed.Drawers that have been added are automatically sensed by the computerand can then be opened only by those who have been given a code thatpermits access. Once a drawer has been added, it cannot be removedunless it is first opened.

Still another important feature is the use of software to controlaccess. The computer keyboard allows entry of pass codes by users andunlocks only the drawer they wish to access. No separate key pad or lockand key system is needed.

Yet another feature is the use of software to control the raising andlowering of the computer monitor and work station. An electrical switchthat is connected to the power system enables a user to adjust theheight of the cart work station so that use of the cart can be made bothin a standing and seated position.

Still another feature of the present invention is the use of a powersystem that can be charged independently from the cart. The use of anencapsulated, self-contained power system and battery enables the userto charge the battery in smaller, more confined areas. Furthermore, auser can simply exchange a low charge power system for a fully chargedpower system without having to remove and replace the internal battery.

These and other features and their advantages will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art of dispensing medications to patients from a carefulreading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments accompaniedby the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a medication dispensing cart,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear, perspective view of a medication dispensingcart according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a base of the medicationdispensing cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a power system of the dispensing cart ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cassette drawer system for a dispensing cart.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cassette drawer system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an operating system for a dispensing cart.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the logic for a medication cartsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 is a detailed, exploded, perspective view of the base of amedication dispensing cart, showing the battery in its cover beingseparated from the battery bracket on indicated in FIG. 1 by referencenumber 10, includes a computer/monitor 12, preferably with both acomputer and a monitor in one unit with the computer behind the monitorand in the same housing 14. Cart 10 also has a work surface 16 with aslide out keyboard 18. There is no security keypad; the keyboard'skeypad serves for entry of codes to permit access. Work surface 16 ismounted on top of a mast 24 carried in turn by a rolling base 26. Worksurface 16 can optionally include holders for storing items, such asantibacterial lotions and drinks, which the user may need when makingrounds with the cart 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a rear view of the presentcart 10 showing computer/monitor 12, work surface 16, mast 24, and apower system 28, which is carried by rolling base 26. Work surface 16can further include hidden USB port 80 for use if additional electronicdevices, such as scanners, need to be employed. Computer/monitor 12 isattached to mast 24 or underneath the work surface through a mount 35 sothat the entire top area of the work surface 16 is available to theuser. Computer/monitor 12 is mounted using a tiltable bracket 34 so thatthe angle of viewing computer/monitor 12 can be adjusted to suit theparticular user. A clear hard covering is applied over the monitorportion of computer/monitor 12 in order to make computer/monitor lesssusceptible to scratches and impact. Preferably the covering is about a⅛.sup.th inch thick and made of acrylic polymeric plastic or othersuitable plastic polymer.

Mast 24 is vertically adjustable so that the user can work seated orstanding and users of different heights can work comfortably.Preferably, mast 24 is electronically adjustable by pressing a button 29rather than by turning a hand crank or other mechanical elevatingmechanism. As shown in FIG. 1, the mast 24 is telescoped, with an outermast member 25 dimensioned to receive an inner mast member 23. Thisarrangement enables the raising and lowering of the computer/monitor 12and work surface 16. The raising and lowering of the mast 24 can becontrolled by an electrical switch 29 that is connected to the powersystem 28 and mechanical means (not shown), such as a screw/nut drivesystem that utilizes a number of small balls (ball screw). In operation,a user would press the button 29 in one direction, such as forward, toactivate the electrical switch 29 to lower the mast 24, and in anotherdirection, such as backward, to activate the electrical switch 29 toraise the mast 24. The electrical switch 29 provides input to the powersystem 28, which controls the raising and lowering of the mast 24through an actuator connected to the mechanical means. Alternatively,the power system can also include a weight sensor connected to theactuator that can be used to override the raising and lowering of mast24 based on the weight of the work surface 16 and computer/monitor 12.For example, if the combined weight of the work surface 16 andcomputer/monitor 12 exceeds a preset, desired weight, the actuator willbe tripped, and the mast 24 will no longer be moveable through the useof the button 29.

Power system 28 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 3-4. As shown,power system 28, which is connected through mast 24 to computer/monitor12, includes a power system controller (not shown) and a battery 27 thatis carried in a battery bracket 50 held in rolling base 26. Asdiscussed, the battery 27 can be charged in combination with the cart 10or independently of the cart 10, through a power cord 31. Thus, worksurface 16 further includes a power cord 31 plug rest 33 (shown in FIG.2) for conveniently storing the power cord 31 when the cart 10 is beingmoved or is not in the vicinity of a power source. Battery 27 can befixed to battery bracket 50 with a variety of mechanical fasteners. In apreferred embodiment, battery 27 is fixed to battery bracket by twoscrews 52. By removing screws 52, battery 27 and its associatedelectronics can be removed from bracket 50 to expose the wiringconnections. Once the wiring connections are disconnected, battery 27can be lifted free using its handle 56. Battery 24 is still in a cover58 and may remain in cover 58 during recharging.

In the event battery 27 needs to be replaced altogether, the screws 60holding battery 27 in its cover 58 are removed, then the battery holddown screws 62 are removed and finally, battery 27 can be disconnectedand replaced. It will be clear that having both a battery cover 58 thatstays with battery 27 while battery 27 is either in service or beingrecharged, and which battery 27 and cover 58 can be quickly removed fromcart 10, makes it faster and easier to keep fully charged batteries oncarts 10.

As discussed, battery 27 can be charged in combination with the cart 10or independently of the cart 10, through a power cord 31. Thus, worksurface 16 further includes a power cord 31 plug rest 33 forconveniently storing the power cord 31 when the cart 10 is being movedor is not in the vicinity of a power source. Additionally, power system28 can be equipped with an LED indicator to show when the batter 27 ischarging and/or fully charged.

Battery 27 is designed to last through at least one shift of eight hoursbefore requiring recharging, preferably about 10 hours. In addition,each battery is connected to the balance of cart 10 using a “Y”electrical connector 61 that permits a second, fully charged battery 27to be connected (for “hot swapping”) to the unused part of the Yconnector, and then the first battery 28 can be removed from the batterybracket and disconnected from the Y connector without loss of power, ordata, to computer/monitor 12, and the second battery can then beinstalled into the battery bracket. The connections that hold battery 28in its bracket are designed for quick release so battery change outtakes but a few minutes at most.

Referring now to FIG. 5, cart 10 preferably includes a cassette drawersystem 30. As illustrated, at least one cassette drawer system 30 can becarried below work surface 16. An exploded, detailed view of thecassette drawer system 30 is shown in FIG. 6. Cassette drawer system 30is preferably modularized, and includes a cassette drawer manager 70,which houses a cassette drawer controller and interface 72 formonitoring the status and activities of cassette drawers and receivinginput for computer/monitor 12. The cassette drawer system 30 isgenerally connected to work surface 16 and wired to computer/monitor 12.More particularly, the top of cassette drawer manager 70 is bolted towork surface 16. Accordingly, cassette drawer manager 70 includes boltfasteners 74 along its top surface. Optionally, cassette drawer manager70 includes a first key override lock 71 and a second key override lock73. In the event drawers need to be opened, and the cassette drawersystem 30 or the computer/monitor 12 system is malfunctioning, a firstkey from authorized users will override the cassette drawer managercontroller 72 to open the drawers containing certain medication. Ifnarcotic medication needs to be accessed, a user must insert both afirst key and a second key to open the narcotics-containing drawers.

Beneath cassette drawer manager 70, at least one cassette drawer 76 islatched. Depending on the dimensions of the cassette drawer manager 70and the cassette drawers, up to four drawers 76 can be added. An addeddrawer 76 cannot be released without opening the drawer. As soon as adrawer 76 is added, it is sensed by controller of computer/monitor 12and cannot be opened except by a user with an authorizing pass code.

The latching mechanism between the cassette drawer manager 70 and acassette drawer 76 will be the same as between a first cassette drawerand a second cassette drawer. This latching mechanism is shown in theexpanded detailed drawings in FIG. 6. As between the cassette drawermanger 70 and a first cassette drawer, on the underside of cassettedrawer manager 70 are a plurality of dovetail-shaped cutout portions 80that are dimensioned to receive dovetail-shaped projections 84.Similarly, on the underside of each cassette drawer 76 are a pluralityof dovetail-shaped cutout portions 80 that are dimensioned to receivedovetail-shaped projections 84 on every lower cassette drawer 78. Inoperation, dovetail projections 84 simply slide into dovetail cutouts80.

Once cassette drawer 76 is seated fully into cassette drawer managermanager 70, spring tabs 90 having pins 91, which have been cut out fromthe bottom surface of cassette drawer manager 70, are cammed upward asdrawer 76 is slid into place, and snap downward into correspondingrecesses 92 in the top surface of drawer 76. Pins 91 on spring tabs 90will hold drawer 76 in place until drawer 76 is opened by an authorizedperson who can then pull tabs 90 down to release drawer 76 from manager70. Preferably, once cassette drawer manager 70 and any and alladditional cassettes are in place, the cassette drawer manager 70 andthe cassette drawers are also electronically connected.

As illustrated, cassette drawer manager 70 and cassette drawer 76 aregenerally U-shaped to facilitate engagement with the mast 24. Eachcassette drawer 76 typically has at least two compartments 94 that areindependently lockable through electronic locks 100 and that havecorresponding sensors 110. Sensors 110 determine if a drawer is open orclosed, including of course when a drawer is left open or not fullyclosed. A drawer that is opened without authorization causes an alarm tosound and initiates an email to the system administrator. All locks 100are software controlled rather than by using keys. For example, a lock100 could include a solenoid actuator connected to a lever andcontrolled by software. Keys can be lost or stolen or fall into thewrong hands. Furthermore, it is easier to change access pass codes usingsoftware than to re-key locks. Computer/monitor 12 can be programmed tolock every drawer unless unlocked by a person with the correct level ofauthorization who enters the correct pass code via keyboard 18. Accessto a compartment 94 containing narcotics requires two pass codes;otherwise one pass code unlocks a compartment 94. Each user has his orher own pass code or codes so the user who accesses each drawer is knownby the pass code used, as well as the time and date of the access bythat user.

Cart 10 is optionally provided with a plug in scanner for readingmedication containers and automatically and accurately loading drawersand the computer database with the correct information about themedications being loaded into each drawer. In this way, the systemadministrator can have a real time inventory of medications in all cartsin its system, knowing exactly what type and how much medication is ineach drawer of each cart.

Cassette drawer system 30 also has an optional utility cassette 78,which can be used to store such items as rubber gloves, paper cups,tissues, and so forth. Because a utility cassette 78 need not besecured, cassette drawer manager 70 automatically deactivates sensors110 and locks 100 of utility cassette drawers 78 that become part of thecassette drawer system 30.

A block diagram of the operating system for the cart 10 is shown in FIG.7. As illustrated, computer/monitor 12 includes a computer controllerand interface logic 200 that receives computer controller input andgenerates computer controller output. For example, computer controller200 process user input, such as the identity of user, the biometricinformation of user, pass codes entered by user. Furthermore, computercontroller provides output to cassette drawer system 30 relating to thedesignation of cassette drawers included in the cassette drawer system30. Significantly, computer/monitor 12 can, in real time, inventorymedication as it is loaded and as it used, as well as which user isdispensing the medication.

Additionally, computer/monitor 12 is equipped with a wireless networkconnection, preferably through SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) sothat the user of that cart 10 can communicate with a centraladministrator 400. Computer/monitor 12 also communicates withadministrator 400 without the active assistance of the user.Accordingly, the status and whereabouts of the cart 10 can be constantlyand effectively monitored through wireless communication.

As previously described, the cassette drawer system 30 also includescassette drawer controller and interface logic 500. This cassette drawercontroller receives input from the computer controller about thecassette drawers and their designations. Cassette drawer controller,therefore, can lock and unlock drawers based on this input. Furthermore,the cassette drawer controller logs what the drawers do, including whenthey are opened and by whom. Accordingly, the cassette drawer system 30has the ability to monitor itself. Similarly, the power system 28 alsoincludes controller and interface logic 600, which monitors thecondition of battery 27, and controls the raising and lowering of themast 24. For example, the condition of the battery 27 when low or whenthe unit is turning off due to low battery power, power systemcontroller communicates these conditions to computer controller, whichin turn reports by email to the administrator. Computer/monitor 12 willalso automatically report by email an attempt to break into cart 10, alog of the charging system, a log of the times and the identities ofusers who have accessed each cassette drawer. Other information can alsobe reported.

To summarize an embodiment of the logic for the medication cart system,FIG. 8 includes of flow chart. As shown, at 700, a decision is made bymedication cart 10 whether the battery 27 is suitable. If the battery 27is not in a good condition and if communication is required at 701 as tothe status of the battery 27, an electronic communication is sent tocentral administrator at 702. If maintenance is needed, the battery 27will be charged or replaced at 703. If the battery 27 is in goodcondition and communication is required at 704, an electroniccommunication is sent to central administrator at 705.

At 706, a decision is made as to whether medication must be dispensed orrefilled. If narcotic medication must be dispensed or refilled at 707,the narcotics drawer is unlocked with two pass codes at 709. Ifcommunication as to the status of the narcotics drawer is required at710, an electronic communication is sent to central administrator at711. If non-narcotic medication must be dispensing or refilling at 712,the medication drawer is unlocked with on pass code at 713. Ifcommunication as to the status of the medication drawer is required at714, an electronic communication is sent to central administrator at715. If a utility drawer needs to be accessed at 716, the utility draweris unlocked with no need for a pass code at 717. If communication as tothe status of the utility drawer is required at 718, an electroniccommunication is sent to central administrator at 719.

If user adds or subtracts a cassette drawer from the cassette drawersystem 30 at 720 and communication is required as to the status of thecassette drawer system 30 at 721, an electronic communication is sent tocentral administrator at 722. If, on the other hand, an unauthorizedaccess to the cassette drawer system 30 is attempted or accomplished at730, and communication is required as to the status of the cassettedrawer system 30 at 731, an electronic communication is sent to centraladministrator at 732.

It is intended that the scope of the present invention include allmodifications that incorporate its principal design features, and thatthe scope and limitations of the present invention are to be determinedby the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It alsoshould be understood, therefore, that the inventive concepts hereindescribed are interchangeable and/or they can be used together in stillother permutations of the present invention, and that othermodifications and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in theart from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A dispensing cart, comprising: a base supported bya plurality of wheels such that the base is suspended above a supportsurface, wherein the base includes at least one battery; a central mastextending vertically up from the base, wherein the base is verticallyextendible and retractable; a work surface operably coupled to the mastsuch that the work surface is movable up and down by extending orretracting the central mast; a monitor having a display screen operablycoupled to the work surface so as to be positioned above the worksurface; a computer that receives power from the battery; a drawersystem comprising a plurality of drawers positioned between the worksurface and the base; wherein the cart has a front side in front of thecentral mast and a rear side rearward of the central mast, wherein thebattery is positioned in the base so as to be on the rear side, whereinthe display screen is positioned at the rear side, and wherein thedrawers are positioned on the front side.
 33. A dispensing cart as inclaim 32, further comprising a housing to which the monitor is coupled,and wherein the computer is disposed in the housing behind the monitor.34. A dispensing cart as in claim 34, wherein the drawer systemcomprises a drawer housing, and wherein the drawers are verticallystacked and slidable within the drawer housing.
 35. A dispensing cart asin claim 34, further comprising a mechanism to couple the drawer housingto the work surface.
 36. A dispensing cart as in claim 32, wherein themast comprises an inner mast member and an outer mast member.
 37. Adispensing cart as in claim 32, further comprising a battery bracket towhich the battery is removably fixed
 38. A dispensing cart as in claim37, wherein the battery comprises a first battery, and furthercomprising a second battery, wherein the cart is configured such thatthe second battery is hot swappable with the first battery without lossof power as the first battery is removed from the bracket and the secondbattery is placed into the bracket.
 39. A dispensing cart as in claim37, wherein the battery has a handle.
 40. A dispensing cart as in claim32, further comprising a power cord that extends from the battery to themonitor.
 41. A dispensing cart as in claim 32, wherein the basecircumscribes the mast.
 42. A dispensing cart as in claim 32, whereinthe cart includes four wheels, with two of the wheels being at the frontside and the other two wheels being at the rear side.
 43. A dispensingcart as in claim 32, wherein the support surface has a front and a rear,and further comprising a bracket mounted to the rear of the supportsurface that extends vertically upward from the support surface, andwherein the monitor is coupled to the bracket.
 44. A dispensing cart asin claim 32, further comprising a pull out keyboard disposed beneath thesupport surface and above the drawer system.